Discussion
After a couple of months pondering, I eventually made the switch from kibble to raw for 6 month old milly. 
I guess it all started just after I got her when I was warned off giving her kibble made by the cake makers. Lovely colours in the packet but so many additives, preservatives and fillers. Equivalent, for you and me to having a maccy's everyday
. So I swapped to James Wellbeloved, which is apparently good stuff but still full of needless additives.
So I've done a lot of research on the pro's and cons and decided that raw was best. Just reading the ingredients on the side of a kibble packet was enough to put me off feeding her that.
What a good move it was too, Milly loves it. Been on it three weeks now so still taking it slowly, started off with chicken/bone/offel mix, added chicken/tripe and this week added chicken/beef mix. She's had a few chicken wings as treats and a lamb bone or two too, as in the pic.
Now watching her chew on a chicken wing for the first time was worrying, but no problems arose, it was all in my mind. She gets real excited when she sees me opening the wing carton in the fridge. Oh and I also bought a freezer for the garage to store it all in.
This next month we will be adding chicken necks and perhaps chicken carcasses, as well as beef and tripe mix.
The biggest surprise I got, even though I'd read about was the amount of poop, or rather the lack of it. She has gone from 4-5 times a day of horrid stinky stuff to perhaps twice a day of reasonably solid almost stink free poops.
I guess it all started just after I got her when I was warned off giving her kibble made by the cake makers. Lovely colours in the packet but so many additives, preservatives and fillers. Equivalent, for you and me to having a maccy's everyday
. So I swapped to James Wellbeloved, which is apparently good stuff but still full of needless additives.So I've done a lot of research on the pro's and cons and decided that raw was best. Just reading the ingredients on the side of a kibble packet was enough to put me off feeding her that.
What a good move it was too, Milly loves it. Been on it three weeks now so still taking it slowly, started off with chicken/bone/offel mix, added chicken/tripe and this week added chicken/beef mix. She's had a few chicken wings as treats and a lamb bone or two too, as in the pic.
Now watching her chew on a chicken wing for the first time was worrying, but no problems arose, it was all in my mind. She gets real excited when she sees me opening the wing carton in the fridge. Oh and I also bought a freezer for the garage to store it all in.
This next month we will be adding chicken necks and perhaps chicken carcasses, as well as beef and tripe mix.
The biggest surprise I got, even though I'd read about was the amount of poop, or rather the lack of it. She has gone from 4-5 times a day of horrid stinky stuff to perhaps twice a day of reasonably solid almost stink free poops.
Dogs are also scavengers, designed to survive on pretty much anything they can find. Domestic dogs have also developed genes that are capable of utilising starch correctly.
If feeding raw you really need to ensure it is frozen first and it is not easy feeding the right balance to a growing dog, there ca:P ratio is very different to an adults.
There are benefits but it there can be complications with raw feeding.
There are good dry food out there
orijen
Applaws
Lily's Kitchen
Barking heads
If feeding raw you really need to ensure it is frozen first and it is not easy feeding the right balance to a growing dog, there ca:P ratio is very different to an adults.
There are benefits but it there can be complications with raw feeding.
There are good dry food out there
orijen
Applaws
Lily's Kitchen
Barking heads
Well done OP. Less poo = better nutritional take up from the food. Tells you all you need to know doesn't it>?!!?
Your dog will be healthier now - shinier coat and teeth and eyes. You might not notice it yourself but others may well do so. We also feed raw organic carrots now and again.
Tripe - feed plenty.
We also feed whole rabbit and whole chicken (feathers and all) now and again too.
If you are somewhere near Suffolk I can suggest a supplier. Your local butcher/abattoir may also be useful to chat to.
Your dog will be healthier now - shinier coat and teeth and eyes. You might not notice it yourself but others may well do so. We also feed raw organic carrots now and again.
Tripe - feed plenty.
We also feed whole rabbit and whole chicken (feathers and all) now and again too.
If you are somewhere near Suffolk I can suggest a supplier. Your local butcher/abattoir may also be useful to chat to.
bexVN said:
Should you not clarify that it is raw green tripe you should feed??
There are differing views on tripe - I don't think bleached has anywhere near the nutritional content but at the same time we get ours fresh from the abattoir and whole which not many are lucky enough to be able to do.Some dog food suppliers I think do green tripe and others white.
I am confused, I thought it was absolutely clear that bleached tripe has all the useful enzymes destroyed, therefore it becomes just a filler food, with virtually zero nutritional benefits at all.
This is what I worry about with home feeding, too much mis leading info or too many different opinions giving conflicting advice, this is not helpful to the inexperienced owner.
The OP seems to be converting well at the but I would stress there is a lot growing for their dog between now and the next 6-8 months. It is essential to get the diet right and occasionally constipation can be an issue.
This is what I worry about with home feeding, too much mis leading info or too many different opinions giving conflicting advice, this is not helpful to the inexperienced owner.
The OP seems to be converting well at the but I would stress there is a lot growing for their dog between now and the next 6-8 months. It is essential to get the diet right and occasionally constipation can be an issue.
Edited by bexVN on Sunday 25th August 23:19
Its nice to have concern and comments from others as to whether I'm doing it right, but I haven't gone into this lightly or blindly. I also don't know everything there is to know so questions will be asked at some point no doubt.
It will be whole green tripe she will be getting but as yet it is too soon for her digestive system to cope with that, so in small amounts mixed with chicken or beef for now will suffice.
The ratio of mince is 80-10-10, meat,bone,offal. Later on she will also be getting liver in small amounts a couple of times a week, along with other organ meats.
She really is doing extremely well so far, it has been commented on how shiny her coat is. I also expect her to grow slightly slower to reach her full size, no rush to feed up.
It also feels very strange to be out on poop inspection whenever she goes.
Its her 6 month birthday tomorrow too. Maybe an extra raw egg or wing. The only down side of it so far is, Mrs TT hates the sound of bones crunching
Said its like jurasic park
It will be whole green tripe she will be getting but as yet it is too soon for her digestive system to cope with that, so in small amounts mixed with chicken or beef for now will suffice.
The ratio of mince is 80-10-10, meat,bone,offal. Later on she will also be getting liver in small amounts a couple of times a week, along with other organ meats.
She really is doing extremely well so far, it has been commented on how shiny her coat is. I also expect her to grow slightly slower to reach her full size, no rush to feed up.
It also feels very strange to be out on poop inspection whenever she goes.
Its her 6 month birthday tomorrow too. Maybe an extra raw egg or wing. The only down side of it so far is, Mrs TT hates the sound of bones crunching
Said its like jurasic parkhas to be green tripe. It stinks and I mean really stinks. Dogs love it though.
But well done OP. Your dog will be much better for it. They may grow slower but they grow stronger!
Ours started off on just chicken but they now get all sorts. All the meats, haven't tried pork but I don't think we will and they love fish (sardines, mackerel, tuna and salmon) especially the ones in tomato sauce. We also add vegetables which are stuck through the blender and they also get live yohhurt plus flaxseed.
Oh and OP, there was a thread a bit back on the great dog food rip off where I stuck a few threads from a dog forum which covers a LOT of info. Have a read it may give you a few ideas for meals.
But well done OP. Your dog will be much better for it. They may grow slower but they grow stronger!
Ours started off on just chicken but they now get all sorts. All the meats, haven't tried pork but I don't think we will and they love fish (sardines, mackerel, tuna and salmon) especially the ones in tomato sauce. We also add vegetables which are stuck through the blender and they also get live yohhurt plus flaxseed.
Oh and OP, there was a thread a bit back on the great dog food rip off where I stuck a few threads from a dog forum which covers a LOT of info. Have a read it may give you a few ideas for meals.
Edited by Sexual Chocolate on Tuesday 27th August 12:18
Edited by Sexual Chocolate on Tuesday 27th August 12:20
rj1986 said:
Does anyone add anything on top of the raw meat, like veg, rice etc?
Starting to slowly transition from dried to real food- like boiled chicken.
I've started adding boiled carrots and green beans, as well as rice with a raw wing on top.
Any other recipe ideas
No need to boil the chicken. We add veg on dinners and live yoghurt in the mornings. The wife does a veg mix of some of the following. Just blend it up (Stick a whole carrot in and whole carrot comes out!)Starting to slowly transition from dried to real food- like boiled chicken.
I've started adding boiled carrots and green beans, as well as rice with a raw wing on top.
Any other recipe ideas
Robbed from Petforum.
Carrots are a useful source of vitamins A, B1, B6, C and K.
Cabbage (dark green like savoy) are a useful source of vitamins B1, Folate and C, along with Sulphur.
Swede is a useful source of vitamins B1, B6, Folate and C.
Parsnips are a useful source of vitamins B1, B6, Folate, C, along with Potassium and Phosphorus.
Green beans are a useful source of vitamins A, Folate and C.
Cauliflower is a useful source of vitamins B1, B6, C and K, along with Potassium.
Spinach is a useful source of vitamins A, B6, Folate, C and K, along with Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, and Magnesium.
Sweet Potato is a useful source of vitamins A, B1, B6, C and E, along with Potassium.
Tomato is a useful source of vitamins A, B6 and C.
READ THIS!
http://www.petforums.co.uk/dog-health-nutrition/11...
Edited by Sexual Chocolate on Tuesday 27th August 13:10
Sexual Chocolate said:
rj1986 said:
Does anyone add anything on top of the raw meat, like veg, rice etc?
Starting to slowly transition from dried to real food- like boiled chicken.
I've started adding boiled carrots and green beans, as well as rice with a raw wing on top.
Any other recipe ideas
No need to boil the chicken. We add veg on dinners and live yoghurt in the mornings. The wife does a veg mix of some of the following. Just blend it up (Stick a whole carrot in and whole carrot comes out!)Starting to slowly transition from dried to real food- like boiled chicken.
I've started adding boiled carrots and green beans, as well as rice with a raw wing on top.
Any other recipe ideas
Robbed from Petforum.
Carrots are a useful source of vitamins A, B1, B6, C and K.
Cabbage (dark green like savoy) are a useful source of vitamins B1, Folate and C, along with Sulphur.
Swede is a useful source of vitamins B1, B6, Folate and C.
Parsnips are a useful source of vitamins B1, B6, Folate, C, along with Potassium and Phosphorus.
Green beans are a useful source of vitamins A, Folate and C.
Cauliflower is a useful source of vitamins B1, B6, C and K, along with Potassium.
Spinach is a useful source of vitamins A, B6, Folate, C and K, along with Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, and Magnesium.
Sweet Potato is a useful source of vitamins A, B1, B6, C and E, along with Potassium.
Tomato is a useful source of vitamins A, B6 and C.
READ THIS!
http://www.petforums.co.uk/dog-health-nutrition/11...
Edited by Sexual Chocolate on Tuesday 27th August 13:10
We boiled the chicken as he had a tummy bug last week, but seems to be back to normal now
Both our dogs are on a raw diet, the difference between before when they had dry skin and constantly itching and today where they never itch and have silky soft fur is amazing. I've never met a vet who advocates the raw diet though, which is strange. tbh, I feel sorry for dogs who spend a life time eating the same dry dog biscuits, you should see our dogs salivating as they are fed chicken wings, they crunch them up like ginger snaps. 
GoneBananas said:
Both our dogs are on a raw diet, the difference between before when they had dry skin and constantly itching and today where they never itch and have silky soft fur is amazing. I've never met a vet who advocates the raw diet though, which is strange. tbh, I feel sorry for dogs who spend a life time eating the same dry dog biscuits, you should see our dogs salivating as they are fed chicken wings, they crunch them up like ginger snaps.
Ah, can you flick over the allergy thread on here please !!I am aware of the odd vet who will advocate raw feeding, which is nice.
I've spent the last couple of evenings reading the linked item to petforums, some useful information on there but a big read
The big difference at feeding times is Millys reaction to it. On kibble, obviously she'd be hungry and wanting fed. So she would sit there waiting until I put it down and say 'go on then', her reaction was like 'oh ok then, I'll eat it.' Sometimes walking around and back again half way through it. Now on raw stuff, she knows the sound of the Tupperware box opening, bounces around and can't wait to get to it. I still make her sit and wait to hear 'go on then', but then she's in it like a rocket.
An hour ago (its taken her that long to crunch through it) I gave her a meaty lamb bone and her excitement was epic.
The big difference at feeding times is Millys reaction to it. On kibble, obviously she'd be hungry and wanting fed. So she would sit there waiting until I put it down and say 'go on then', her reaction was like 'oh ok then, I'll eat it.' Sometimes walking around and back again half way through it. Now on raw stuff, she knows the sound of the Tupperware box opening, bounces around and can't wait to get to it. I still make her sit and wait to hear 'go on then', but then she's in it like a rocket.
An hour ago (its taken her that long to crunch through it) I gave her a meaty lamb bone and her excitement was epic.
My lab Buster has colitis and we have tried loads of different things to try to help him. We put him on raw a few weeks ago after reading about it on pet forums and then reading everything we could find about it. He loves the food and bones, however he has no energy, he lags behind on walks and has no interest in running and playing with his ball (which is usually his favourite game). Don't quite know what to do next. My husband wants to put him back on chicken and rice or pasta which he was having before and on which he had lots of energy. But he was having flare ups of colitis and I want him to have a better diet.
Maybe too much of a change to soon. If you are used to cooking for him, maybe try home cooked diet first but with more variety. I found a really good book called Lily's Kitchen, some great recipes, researched by the author due to her own dogs skin and bowel issues (she didn't want to do raw for various reasons). They now make very high quality tinned and dry foods now as well.
If this goes well maybe you can re try raw again at a later date but introduced very slowly, though if the home cooking goes well then there will be no reason to change.
My complementary medicines vet who is an advocate of raw actually said raw is not right for every dog but home cooking is.
If this goes well maybe you can re try raw again at a later date but introduced very slowly, though if the home cooking goes well then there will be no reason to change.
My complementary medicines vet who is an advocate of raw actually said raw is not right for every dog but home cooking is.
kats56 said:
Hi bexVN
Thanks for the info I might just try the cooking for a while. I think I've read and researched that much about raw feeding lately that I'm maybe convincing myself that its the only way to give him the best diet I can. I certainly don't want to go back to feeding kibble.
There are quite a few on here that feed raw and do say there digs have improved no end, which is great but there really is nothing wrong with home cooked as long as well done.Thanks for the info I might just try the cooking for a while. I think I've read and researched that much about raw feeding lately that I'm maybe convincing myself that its the only way to give him the best diet I can. I certainly don't want to go back to feeding kibble.
Forum | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff